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Revered French film director Alain Corneau has died at the age of 67.

The movie-maker/writer, who worked with high profile stars including Gerard Depardieu and Monica Bellucci, passed away in the early hours of Monday morning.

The cause of his death was not known as WENN went to press, but he is believed to have been battling cancer.

Corneau's latest movie, Love Crime (Crime d'Amour) starring Kristin Scott Thomas, was released just two weeks ago.

He made his first film, France Inc, in 1973 and went on to carve out a successful career, working with Yves Montand on 1976's Police Python 357 and again on 1977's La Menace.

He directed Depardieu in 1984's Fort Saganne and their 1991 collaboration Tous Les Matins Du Monde won Corneau two coveted Cesar awards, for best film and best director.